Lucasfilm was seemingly looking to expand the world ofIndiana Jonesonto Disney+, similar toStar Wars, butIndiana Jones and the Dial of Destinymight have complicated that.Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destinywas the fifth and final chapter in the long-running film franchise, and it was highly publicized for being Harrison Ford’s final time playing the title role. With Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy seemingly saying only Harrison Ford would play Indiana Jones, there doesn’t seem like much growth for the franchise expansion. However, at one point in time, Lucasfilm apparently had a few ideas to expand the series, one that could have fleshed out the supporting characters in Indiana Jones’s life.
During the latest episode of the popular movie podcastBlank Check with Griffin & David, co-host Griffin Newman reveals he previously auditioned for an Untitled Lucasfilm animated series that seemingly was an Indiana Jones-style show. Newman is not only the co-host ofBlank Checkbut also an actor, having played Arthur inThe Tickand is a popular voice actor, having voiced Chip inDisenchanted, Mad Hatter inHarley Quinn, and Orko inMasters of the Universe: Revelation.Newman is also famous for his Watoo impersonation onThe George Lucas Talk Showpodcast, which might have put him on Lucasfilm’s radar for the series. Newman points out that it was less focused on Indiana Jones precisely but was more in spirit with the River Phoenix opening toThe Last Crusade. Newman said:
“I think I can say this. Years ago, I auditioned for what they had said was Untitled Star Wars Project. When I read the sides I was like ‘this is clearly a young Indiana Jones show’ and it was going be animated. Then I think Dial of Destiny was kinda getting complicated; they were like, ‘Let’s just focus on this and not do the side show.’ But there was going to be a Disney+ animated sort of like River Phoenix-esque rather than Young Indiana Jones-esque.”
The thing that was very funny about the Indiana Jones cartoon thing was usually you’ll get these breakdowns and it’ll be like, Untitled Lucasfilm Project and you read it and you’re like ‘This is Star Wars but they’re trying to hide that it’s Star Wars’. This they sent out as Untitled Star Wars Cartoon Show and I was like ‘Oh cool, I’m auditioning for a Star Wars cartoon show.’ And then I read the sides and they gave all the characters alien names but they talked about being at a university and studying adventurers and wanting to collect relics. And I was like ‘you’re using Star Wars as a cover for it being Indiana Jones.’…But this show has just not happened."
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Newman also states he thinks he was reading for either the part of a young Sallah or a young Marcus Brody, two of Indiana Jones' most famous supporting characters introduced inRaiders of the Lost Ark. This does suggest that the series was less an Indiana Jones series and more a series of animated adventures designed to expand the Indiana Jones roster of supporting characters and delve into their backstories.Lucasfilm has used a similar model forTales of the JediandTales of the Empire, a series of animated short stories that have added explored characters like Ahsoka Tano, Count Dooku, Morgan Elsbeth, and Barriss Offee.
Could Indiana Jones Ever Return?
Newman’s reveal of a potential animatedIndiana Jonesseries is the closest thing to official news about Lucasfilm developing anyIndiana Jonesspin-off. The closest thing to new prior was in 2022 when it was reported that Lucasfilm was meeting with writers aboutpitches for a potential Indiana Jones Disney+ series, but nothing was ever confirmed.
It could have been planned before Disney+ launched but might have been scrapped before Disney’s December 2020 Investor Day. If it had been still in development, Lucasfilm would likely have announced it, as Disney CEO Bob Chapek reportedly forced Kathleen Kennedy and Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige to announce projects even if they weren’t ready.
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destinyhad multiple release date changes. It was initially announced for July 01, 2025, before being delayed to August 01, 2025. It was then delayed to August 08, 2025, and then July 23, 2025, before finally releasing on July 10, 2025. With so many delays, it wasn’t easy to time an animated tie-inIndiana Jonesproject to go alongside the film.When the movie opened in theaters, it became a high-profile box office flop. While it is unlikely Lucasfilm will revisit theIndiana Jonesfranchise anytime soon, it would be foolish to think the franchise will be left to rest forever. With Indiana Jones having a vast array of colorful supporting characters like Sallah, Brody, Marion Ravenwood, Short Round, and Helena Shaw, to name a few, an animated series of shorts that Newman teased sounds like a fun idea.
Source:Blank Check with Griffin & David
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny
